United States: Supreme Court annuls regulations on abortion tablet medication
Critics of the drug mifepristone, which is utilized in the US as a component of medication abortions and known as Mifegyne in Germany, have long attempted to limit its availability in the country. First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US in 2000, mifepristone's usage was expanded to the tenth week of pregnancy in 2016.
In their decision, the judges acknowledged that "several individuals, including the complainant doctors, have significant concerns about the use of mifepristone for conducting abortion procedures and objections to it." However, the plaintiffs have no legal standing to contest its legal status since "others are permitted to engage in certain activities." Consequently, the lawsuit against the FDA's actions could not be considered legally valid.
Additionally, the judgment noted that the plaintiffs should raise their concerns about mifepristone with the FDA, the President, or Congress. They could also share their opinions publicly, such as during elections. Federal courts were not appropriate for handling such matters.
A conservative judge nominated by Trump passed a ruling last year outlawing mifepristone. However, an appeals court overturned the complete ban due to the expired deadline for contesting the FDA's drug approval. The appeals court, however, restricted access to the medication.
The Supreme Court's controversial decision in June 2022 to reverse Roe v. Wade, a landmark judgment from 1973 that acknowledged a constitutional right to abortion, set off a political earthquake. Over 20 states have enacted or proposed strict abortion restrictions since then.
Surveys show that the majority of US citizens and residents support continued access to safe abortions. Conservatives, on the other hand, are pushing for limitations or even bans on the practice. The issue might play a significant role in the US Presidential election in November: President Joe Biden's campaign has highlighted the defense of abortion rights.
Biden stated after the Supreme Court's ruling that "the fight for reproductive freedom continues." He added that "for women, the right to the procedure they require is endangered or completely denied in many states." The assaults on medication abortions are part of the "excessive and dangerous strategy" of the Republicans to outlaw abortions nationwide.
In the Senate, Republicans hindered a bill on Thursday that aimed to create a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The right to IVF should not only apply to families but also to providers of such services. A larger insurance coverage is also intended to alleviate costs.
Yet, only 48 Senators voted for the bill in an initial vote, with only two Republicans supporting it. A majority of at least 60 votes was necessary.
The bill was criticized by the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer. "This bill would only establish a countrywide right to IVF and eliminate barriers for millions of Americans who want to have a child through IVF," Schumer remarked. The topic was also personal for him. "Thanks to the miracle of IVF, I have a beautiful one-year-old grandchild."
